For foreigners visiting a Japanese onsen for the first time, one of the biggest concerns is etiquette. "Am I doing something wrong?" "Am I making others uncomfortable?" Many step into an onsen facility with these worries.

But rest assured, Japanese onsen etiquette, while seemingly complex, is based on rational reasons. At its core are values of "consideration for others" and "maintaining cleanliness," which are universally understandable.

In this article, we will explain what not to do at a Japanese onsen, along with the cultural background. Understanding this will allow you to enjoy Japanese onsens with confidence.

The Most Important Taboo: Entering the Bath Without Washing

The most serious breach of etiquette at a Japanese onsen is entering the bath without washing your body. In some foreign cultures, entering the bath directly is common, but in Japan, it is absolutely unacceptable.

Why is this rule so strict? It stems from the high cleanliness standards of the Japanese. In Japan, an onsen is considered a "shared, pure place." One person's dirt can contaminate the entire onsen. Therefore, cleaning your body before entering is a must.

Before bathing, wash your entire body with soap and shampoo your hair. Rinse thoroughly before entering the bath. Skipping this step is seen as a major lack of consideration for other users. Some Japanese may even complain to the staff if they see someone entering without washing.

Why You Shouldn't Put Towels in the Bath

Another important rule is not putting towels in the bath, a common mistake among foreigners.

In Japanese onsens, you are allowed to bring a small towel into the bath area. However, the towel must not enter the bath water. It should be placed on your head or outside the edge of the bath.

Towels can carry dirt and fibers that may dissolve into the bath water, which is highly undesirable in Japan. To maintain a clean onsen, the rule of not putting towels in the bath was established.

When visiting an onsen, you'll notice that Japanese people often place towels on their heads. This has a practical purpose too: it helps prevent overheating by cooling the head. But more importantly, it's a technique to keep towels out of the bath.

Keeping Hair Out of the Bath: A Commitment to Cleanliness

Those with long hair must tie it up before entering the bath. This is another crucial rule in Japanese onsen etiquette.

Hair can carry dirt and shed hairs, and immersing it in the bath means introducing that dirt into the onsen. Japanese people find this very unpleasant.

Whether you wrap your hair in a towel or tie it with a hairband, the method doesn't matter as long as your hair doesn't touch the bath water. This small consideration is necessary for everyone to enjoy the onsen comfortably.

Do Not Break the Silence: Onsens as Places of Meditation

In Japanese onsens, spending time quietly is an unspoken rule. Whispered conversations are acceptable, but speaking loudly or making noise is strictly prohibited.

Why is silence so important? For Japanese people, an onsen is not just a bathing facility; it's a place for meditation and resetting both mind and body. In silence, they release daily stress and reflect on themselves. Breaking this silence means taking away others' precious time.

Of course, you might visit with friends or family. Even then, keep conversations in hushed tones. Always be considerate of those around you. Enjoying deep relaxation in a quiet onsen is the essence of Japanese onsen culture.

Photography is Strictly Prohibited: Respect for Privacy

Taking photos inside the bath area is absolutely forbidden in Japan. This is not just etiquette but can also be a legal issue.

Onsens are places where people bathe naked, making privacy protection extremely important. Allowing photography could mean others appear naked in your photos, which is a severe invasion of privacy and considered a criminal act.

You might think, "Isn't it okay if no one else is in the photo?" However, just bringing a smartphone into the bath area can make others anxious due to the suspicion of photography.

While it's understandable to want to capture the beautiful scenery of an onsen, in Japan, it's cultural to imprint the view in your mind's eye. Leave your smartphone in the locker and focus on the experience in front of you. That's the Japanese way to enjoy an onsen.

Bathing After Drinking: A Life-Threatening Risk

You might have seen scenes in movies of people relaxing with a drink in an onsen. However, in reality, bathing after drinking is extremely dangerous.

Entering an onsen causes blood vessels to expand and blood pressure to fluctuate. If this happens while alcohol is in your system, it can lead to a sudden drop in blood pressure and increased strain on the heart, resulting in falls, loss of consciousness, or even death. In fact, fatalities from bathing after drinking are reported annually in Japan.

Many onsen facilities explicitly state, "Please refrain from bathing after drinking." This is not just a caution but a warning to protect your life.

The correct order is to enjoy alcohol after the onsen. This is the proper sequence in Japanese onsen culture. Relax in the onsen and then savor a cold beer in the rest area. By following this order, you can enjoy alcohol safely and at its best.

The Tattoo Issue: Understanding the Cultural Background

One of the most confusing rules for foreigners at Japanese onsens is the prohibition of tattoos. Many facilities restrict entry for those with tattoos.

This is not discrimination against foreigners but is rooted in Japan's historical and cultural background. In Japan, tattoos have long been associated with organized crime (yakuza). Therefore, seeing someone with tattoos may cause other users to feel uneasy.

Recently, this situation has been gradually changing. Among the younger generation, tattoos as fashion are becoming more common. Some facilities allow small tattoos or permit the use of tattoo cover stickers.

There are ways for those with tattoos to enjoy onsens in Japan. Research facilities that allow tattoos, use private baths, or choose a room with an attached open-air bath at a ryokan. With prior research and understanding, enjoying Japanese onsens is possible.

Entering Without Rinsing: Unprepared for Temperature Changes

Before entering a Japanese onsen, always perform "kakeyu," which involves pouring 5-10 cups of water over your body, starting from the feet.

Kakeyu serves two important purposes. First, it acclimates your body to temperature changes. Entering a hot bath suddenly can cause blood pressure to fluctuate sharply, risking heat shock. This is a life-threatening issue, especially for the elderly or those with heart conditions.

Second, it removes surface dirt from your body. Even after washing, kakeyu ensures you enter the bath in a cleaner state.

In some foreign cultures, the practice of kakeyu is not common. However, in Japan, it is a standard practice. This small ritual guarantees a safe and comfortable onsen experience.

Etiquette in the Washing Area: Consideration for the Next Person

Japanese bathing facilities have a "washing area" separate from the bath, equipped with stools, buckets, and showers.

After using the washing area, lightly rinse it before leaving. Return the stool and bucket to their original positions to ensure the next person can use them comfortably.

"Leave it more beautiful than you found it." This is a deeply ingrained concept in Japanese culture. Leaving the place you used as clean or cleaner than when you arrived is a practice that keeps Japanese onsen facilities pristine.

Avoid excessive use of the provided shampoo and body soap. These amenities are shared by everyone, so use only what you need. This is considered good etiquette.

Why Etiquette is Strict: Respect for Shared Spaces

Why is Japanese onsen etiquette so detailed and strict? Because an onsen is a "public space" and a "shared resource."

Japan has an old saying, "Harmony is to be valued." Prioritizing harmony and ensuring everyone can spend time comfortably is a key principle. Onsen etiquette embodies this spirit.

One person's breach of etiquette can ruin the experience for dozens or even hundreds of people. That's why strict etiquette is necessary. Adhering to this etiquette also helps pass on Japanese onsen culture to future generations.

If You Make a Mistake in Etiquette

No one is perfect. You might unknowingly breach etiquette. What should you do then?

If a staff member or another user points it out, it's important to apologize sincerely and correct your behavior. Many Japanese people understand that foreigners may not know the rules. If you respond with sincerity, they are likely to forgive you.

The key is not to get upset about being corrected. It's not an attack on you but a legitimate reminder to protect the shared space of the onsen.

What You Gain by Following Etiquette

Following Japanese onsen etiquette is not just an obligation; it's also a gateway to a deeper onsen experience.

By adhering to etiquette, you earn respect from Japanese people. They may be impressed that "even as a foreigner, you know the etiquette well" and welcome you warmly. Sometimes, locals might even teach you how to enjoy the onsen better.

Moreover, by following etiquette, you can enjoy the onsen without worry. Free from the anxiety of "Am I doing something wrong?" you can focus on the ultimate experience of the onsen.

Japanese onsen etiquette is the culmination of wisdom refined over hundreds of years. It is a perfect system for everyone to enjoy the onsen comfortably, safely, and equally.

By understanding and practicing this etiquette, you become a part of Japanese onsen culture. You can fully enjoy the onsen, a cultural treasure that Japan proudly shares with the world.